By Nellie AndreevaLOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The broadcast networks went medieval over "The Kingdom," a Middle Ages drama set in Europe's world of castles, kings and typhoid fever.
In the first fierce bidding war of the development season, which resembled the frenzy that surrounded "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and "The Class" two years ago, CBS landed the Barry Sonnenfeld-directed project with a rich pilot commitment.
CBS, which is said to have outbid NBC and Fox for the Sony Pictures TV-produced project, will pay a $3.5 million-$4 million license fee for the pilot and a series license fee of more than $1.5 million per episode, according to sources.
CBS and SPT declined comment Tuesday on the financial aspects of the deal.
Written by "Runaway" creator Chad Hodge, "Kingdom" is described as a medieval "Entourage." It revolves around four guys, one of whom is crowned king and reluctantly takes the throne despite preferring drinking and sex to procession and war.
Costume dramas have had a rough time on broadcast television, but the genre is enjoying success on cable with Showtime's "The Tudors."
Sonnenfeld just directed the pilot for ABC's promising new drama series "Pushing Daisies." He also is attached to direct "Hackett," a single-camera comedy pilot for Fox, contingent upon his availability.
On the big screen, Sonnenfeld's directorial credits include "Get Shorty" and both "Men in Black" features.
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